Legacy Fund for the Children of Afu Ra Bakr
No matter how prepared we may think we are, life has it’s challenges and they hit us all, often in the moments we least expect it. For 25 years, Afu Ra Bakr worked with troubled youth as a counselor and behavior specialist. Vision Quest, Camelot and Y.A.P. outreach programs were a few notable companies that he worked with in cities such as Trenton and Camden New Jersey as well as Philadelphia, PA, to support youth ranging from unreachable kids to gang members. Often his power of healing would extend pass the programs, even making house visits to bring these young men food when needed.
Before COVID, statewide budget cuts forced him to leave his life’s work to seek employment in other avenues in order to support his family. He found work with three of his siblings in the movie industry. He obtained his CDLA license and recently gained employment with the Local 817 Teamsters Union. This new career changed his life for the better and allowed him to finally provide a better life and future for his family which was always his ultimate goal.
Unfortunately, on August 5th, 2021 an untimely tragedy shocked the entire family as he was hit by a speeding vehicle one block away from home as he rode his motorcycle to the gym.
COVID has affected many in ways beyond our control. Just as Afu’s budding career working behind the scenes in film began, he experienced reduced income due to business shut downs caused by the pandemic. Necessities became his focus in order to sustain a family of seven, who are his wife Jessica, the love of his life, and their five children; ages ranging from his firstborn 22 year old undergrad daughter to their 22 month old son.
Some of the most responsible, self-reliant people make daily choices to ensure that their family has the necessities during challenging periods. Thus, as Afu made decisions to ensure his family had necessities like food, housing and the basics - his life insurance policy lapsed before he had time to reinstate it – this horrific accident happened moments from home. His family now find themselves without their head of household and facing the future - not only mourning, but challenged with finding ways to sustain themselves without their beloved husband and father.
Afu Ra Bakr was a hardworking, healthy family man and the last thing anyone would have thought was that he’d be gone at age 54. If you can find it in your heart to donate to his family in their time of need, your contributions will be used to help to support his children’s immediate needs and to ensure his wife, who recently rejoined the workforce & is determined to progress, can support her family as they adjust to life without their “Rock” and foundation. Peace, blessings & thank you in advance for your compassion.
The Bakr Family
